Preparing for Surgery

A checklist to help you get ready for your operation. You can print this page or keep it on your phone. The written instructions from the hospital, and anything Dr Lourensz has told you, always take priority.

Before and After Surgery · Fasting Before Surgery · Caring for Your Wounds

When Your Surgery Is Booked

  • Read your written cost estimate and consent form, and ask about anything you are unsure of before signing.
  • Check your health fund cover and any waiting periods. Paying yourself? See Using Your Superannuation.
  • Complete the hospital's pre-admission forms when asked.
  • Tell us about all your medicines, including blood thinners and medicines for diabetes or weight management. Some need to be stopped or adjusted before surgery. Please don't stop anything without advice.
  • If you smoke or vape, stop as early as you can.
  • Arrange time off work, and help at home for the first few days.

Two Weeks Before

  • Weight loss surgery: start your pre-operative diet two weeks before surgery, as instructed. It shrinks the liver and makes surgery safer.
  • Arrange someone to take you home from hospital and, ideally, to stay with you the first night.
  • Plan simple meals for your first week at home. After weight loss surgery, stock up on the fluids and foods on your diet plan.

The Day Before

  • Check your admission time and fasting instructions from the hospital. See Fasting Before Surgery.
  • Shower, but don't shave the area of the operation.
  • Remove nail polish, jewellery and piercings if you can.
  • Pack your bag.

What to Bring

  • your Medicare and health fund cards
  • a list of your medicines, or the boxes
  • your CPAP machine, if you use one
  • glasses, hearing aids and a phone charger
  • comfortable, loose clothing
  • any scans, results or letters you have been asked to bring

On the Day

  • Follow your fasting instructions. Take only the medicines you have been told to take, with a sip of water.
  • Leave valuables at home.
  • Arrive at the time the hospital gives you.

After You Get Home

See Before and After Surgery for pain relief, eating, driving and when to call, and Caring for Your Wounds for looking after your dressings.

Request an appointment

Reviewed by Dr Kaleb Lourensz